We are a friendly and inclusive team who put our guests at the heart of everything we do. It is important to us that everyone who visits feels cared for and welcomed during their stay. We aim to offer customised solutions to meet each individual’s needs. You can find us nestled deep in a valley at the base of the Serra De Estrela foothills and people from all over the world come and enjoy themselves with us amongst these beautiful Portuguese forests.

Limited mobility:

We offer our guests a range of accommodation options across the retreat. For those with limited mobility we recommend you stay in one of our private bedrooms located in the traditional style Farmhouse. Guests staying in these rooms have shared use of a disabled bathroom. Our Farmhouse also hosts the main facilities including a library, eating area, treatment rooms and Yoga Shala. Guests can spend time in this area relaxing and taking in some of the views of the stunning landscape around. Not all of our accommodation and facilities are on the same level, but are accessible by a number of paved pathways and stone stairways.

Blind or limited vision:

We welcome guests who are blind or have limited vision and we recommend staying in one of the farmhouse's private bedrooms as all the main facilities are nearby. There is a computer available in the library for guest use where audio books can be listened to online.

Deaf or limited hearing:

We welcome guests who are deaf or have limited hearing to this idyllic retreat and will find all our accomodation and facilities suitable. We are currently considering options for a centralised sound system with portable hearing loop to be installed for 2019.

Cognitive conditions:

We offer a quiet and relaxed environment surrounded by wide open spaces perfect for guests to explore and relax in. Our single occupancy private rooms offer a peaceful and calm environment suitable for guests with cognitive conditions. We are also installing mood coloured lighting in the communal areas to help those affected by anxiety and autism.

'Free from' food:

We are extremely fortunate to have a wonderful culinary team with talented plant based chefs widely travelled and experienced in providing for a wide range of dietary requirements with deliciously fresh and nourishing meals. The menu follows a vegetarian diet, and is almost exclusively plant based so that everyone who visits can enjoy the food prepared. Gluten, nut and dairy free options are always well labelled. Just let us know about any special requirements before your stay and take a few minutes to speak with our lovely chefs when you are here so that they can better understand your needs.

LGBT:

We provide a safe, caring and open environment built to be enjoyed by all. We believe that no matter your age, background or gender everyone should be able to enjoy their precious time on vacation in a friendly and welcoming space. We host two weeks a season that are exclusive for Gay, Bi, Trans and Queer men - run by Tom Barber of Yoga Boys Berlin. We are currently actively seeking more teachers who work with other groups for whom a safe space non judgemental space is paramount to their retreat experience.

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Yoga vacation in Portugal

Carbon reduction

Your vacation will help support local people and conservation. We must also reduce CO2. Learn about the CO2 emissions of this vacation and how to reduce them.

Environment

We came from London with a mindset of “light footsteps” to produce the minimum environmental impact possible. However quite quickly we grew to realise that what we actually wanted to do was have the maximum possible impact on the environment through our life here. By managing the forest responsibly, clearing the bush vegetation on the forest floor to enable the larger trees to thrive and at the same time protect the forest and village from the ravages of fire. By producing tractor loads of our own compost to enrich the soil. By nurturing and encouraging a much larger array of biodiversity in the plants and wildlife. We have planted thousands of trees, shrubs and plants with the sole purpose of encouraging more bees, insects and birds to be able to make their homes in this part of the forest. Along with hundreds of deciduous woodland trees that will alter the micro climate of the valley as they grow tall, wide canopied and strong over the next few decades.

Gardening and Farming: We are learning, through experience and through the wisdom of our elderly neighbours, most of whom have lived off the produce of these valleys all their lives, how to live more in balance with the resources of the forest. To this end for the last 10 years we have managed to grow a substantial quantity of organic produce to feed ourselves, family and guests. We will be planting many thousands more forest trees with species that we hope overtime will increase the biodiversity of this largely mono-cultural forest and encourage the development of a deciduous woodland floor and to stimulate a growth in woodland bird populations.

We live on the edge of wilderness and are privileged to share this forest home with a number of other wilder inhabitants whose families have lived here for generations: wild boar, stoats, foxes, badgers, rabbits and partridges all make regular appearances. The lberian lynx and a mature stag spotted rarely.

The four original stone cottages were all renovated according to the traditional Portuguese methods of building with clay, stone, wood and lime and are excellent examples of this environmentally appropriate approach to the hand built shelter. We have added a few creature comforts of modern living too.

Water and Energy: The water to all the houses comes from our bore hole and is pure rock filtered spring water straight from the mountain. It's fresh and full of vitality. We are increasingly using the traditional water sources gravity fed from the river and the Moorish water mines to irrigate orchards and crops. All grey water from the houses is also used to irrigate trees and ornamental plants, so we ask our guests to choose carefully the products they bring with them. Ironically, Environmentally friendly branded products are not always the best for irrigation as many have high salt content, good for the oceans but harmful for plants in the gardens.

Water is heated using Thermo Dynamic panels that work efficiently all year in rain, wind and sun. Central heating in the houses during winter is from a number of wood burning stoves using firewood from our own pine, eucalyptus, willow and olive trees: trees are the best solar energy converters around. Research has shown that forests thrive where they are managed sustainably like this.

Electricity is currently from the national grid, although Portugal is one of the pioneers of alternative energy in Europe – wind, wave and solar. We are surrounded by wind turbines on the ridges of all the foothills for miles. One day we hope to be completely off grid by harnessing solar and also water energy from the 2 rivers that run through this valley.

Waste: Our local council of Oleiros provides excellent recycling facilities in the village of Amieira, which makes it easy for us to recycle the plastic, glass and tin packaging we use. All degradable waste is composted on site. Cardboard and some of our kitchen waste feeds the worms in our worm café, who work hard eating all year to create the best liquid fertiliser for our kitchen garden crops and once a year provides a tray of perfect compost to start out the Spring seeding.

The rest of the kitchen waste is composted along with the contribution of our guests in the delightful dry toilets here. Our indoor dry toilets, made from the chestnut panels of old wine vats and marble, use sawdust and chippings cut from the heathers and shrubs in the forest. When added with all kitchen food and garden waste in our compost structures, stored for a year, it turns into tractor loads of nutrient rich compost for the orchards and newly planted woodland trees. It takes a little more human effort on our part, but we suspect our trees are much happier as a result. The land here is stony and much of its soil’s nutrients are therefore washed away in the winter rains. For those trees and plants to thrive It is essential we regularly add back nutrients so along with our own compost we buy lorry loads of goat, chicken and rabbit manure from our neighbours each year.

Transport: It is not easy to arrive here using low carbon transport. We are a remote retreat space in the geographic center of Portugal. Our local town is supported well by coaches from Lisbon and Porto, although the nearest train station is an hour's drive away in Castelo Branco with an infrequent and slow local bus service to Oleiros.

Community

The best people to ask about our community involvement would be our lovely Portuguese neighbours and the 8 local people we employ full time on our teams. They'll tell you what they think about us when you arrive. We're proud to be considered their friends, but in reality it often feels like we're their students. They have been our best teachers since we arrived, always with open houses and gardens ready to show us how it's done, teach us their language and tell of their history. In return we help them with their olive, wine and crop harvests. It's a great honour to now be able to buy their produce too for our yoga retreat menus. Our own olive oil is delicious, but their's has a few more tasty decades worth of experience.

Eventhough it is possible for us to source cheaper building materials, plants and food from further away, we have always chosen to support our local town economy too wherever possible.

We buy local. It has always been important to us that our local economy benefits directly from our family life and retreat business in Portugal. All the building materials and manpower used in the 4 year restoration work on the 4 small stone houses were sourced locally. We employed, and still do, our neighbours to help us build in the old traditional Portuguese ways with natural materials of clay, stone, straw and wood, and to clear and manage the forest around us. We buy the majority of food for our yoga retreats from the local shops in our nearest town of Oleiros and also as mentioned directly from our neighbour’s own produce – their tasty olive oil, potatoes, onions, salads, beans and corn. We grow our own herbs, salads, fresh beans and tomatoes.

We seek to distribute the revenue made from our retreats directly to our community. We are partnering with Mossy Earth to be one of their reforestation and rewilding sites in their carbon offset service.

There isn't a day that goes by where we don't give thanks for what the Portuguese families built with their hands in this valley a hundred years ago. The stone work in the terraces and river walls run for miles and miles in every direction. The daughters of the men who built the original farmhouses that we renovated are still alive and living in our village up the hill. A documentary will shortly be coming out that capture some of the stories of our neighbours born in the houses we now live in. We feel very connected here.

Wider afield, the kids have helped us all integrate quickly at the beginning by being such fantastic contributors to their local school in Oleiros. It's a small town of less than 5000 people spread over 465 sq km (population density 1 person per 4 square kms), and it hasn't taken us long to feel really part of it.

You will be warmly welcomed in any café or restaurant in our town. It's a region of Portugal famous for its hospitality.

38 Reviews of Yoga vacation in Portugal

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Reviewed on 02 Jul 2019 by Natasha Caf

It met all my expectations. There was a very relaxed atmosphere. Daily yoga and time to explore the area or just be alone.Read full review

Reviewed on 28 May 2018 by Liz Hughes

It was all excellent - this is a holistic experience, the excellent food every day, the beautiful, peaceful location set in a V shaped valley with spectacular views,
river to swim in, walks to be had, the retreat venue itself, the staff working there, the tipis, and last but not least, the excellent yoga and pilates tuition and
massage treatments. Read full review

Reviewed on 22 Apr 2018 by Caroline Yuill

I had no expectations other than to go with the flow and listen. Andrew and Vonettq have fulfilled and are fulfilling their dream in such a manner as to share wholeheartedly with those who drop in. I arrived full of flu, wrapped up to the nines. Some called me the eskimo, with two little eyes appearing through all the head layers.
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Reviewed on 13 Oct 2018 by Daisy Powling

Deeply relaxing. Beautiful scenery... The food was wonderful. It wasn't the main reason for going but every meal was a delight!Read full review

Reviewed on 25 Aug 2018 by Cezara Negoita

Reviewed on 09 Apr 2018 by Georgina Loughrey

The highlight was wild swimming in some beautiful locations along the river and an amazing Thai massage given by Mars.Read full review

Reviewed on 12 Sep 2017 by Joyce Stack

Beautiful location in the mountains with lots of uber tasty delicious nourishing food. Read full review

Reviewed on 12 Jul 2017 by Alison Fraser

For me it was the real sense of retreating in a beautiful and remote valley. Waking up to the sound of birdsong , great classes, superb colourful food. and a lovely genuine team that helped create a gentle, kind and caring atmosphere.Read full review

Reviewed on 13 May 2017 by Marta Redd

All of it was memorable, the environment, food, classes, people etc. 10/10 - Superb!Read full review

Reviewed on 02 Apr 2017 by Amanda Taylor

The scenery was fantastic with so much green everywhere and opportunities for walks. The food was amazing and the high point because it was so well prepared and tasty! An escape from the city to experience a breather for ourselves, get back to looking after our bodies with the yoga and eat carefully selected vegetarian food. Read full review

Reviewed on 14 Aug 2016 by Ben Moss

Although cliché, I would say this was one of the best vacations I've been on, hand on heart. Why? All the categories that I can think of which make for an enriching and joyous experience were there: excellent quality of the treatment, yoga lessons; the beautiful location, the friendly and committed ethos of the staff and owners; wonderful and eye-opening food; outstanding company of fellow travelers; the vision of the project and its executionRead full review

Reviewed on 09 Aug 2016 by Helen Butler

I loved my vacation and I am very thankful to have shared this experience with a brilliant group of people. I highly recommend this retreat. Read full review

Reviewed on 23 Jul 2016 by Jacqui Allen

The whole vacation at was memorable. Really lovely warm hearted hosts and a great yoga teacher and the best vegetarian food we have ever eaten!Read full review

Reviewed on 12 Jul 2016 by Smita Shah

Fantastic, would heartily recommend the yoga retreat. It works for practioners
at all levels and is a wonderful relaxing vacation in beautiful surroundings. Read full review

Reviewed on 03 Sep 2015 by Medea Van Schijndel

I miss walking home to my pad, under the starry August sky with a belly full of ridiculously tasteful deliciousness, and a body stretched to the core.Read full review

Reviewed on 21 Apr 2015 by Anna Manaeva

The trip was definitely one of most memorable and exiting vacations I have ever had. Nothing was short of wonder!Read full review

Reviewed on 06 Oct 2014 by Deirdre O

When a week feels like a month ( in the best possible way), you know you have struck vacation gold!
I'm a bit reluctant to tell anyone about them, as I loved it so much I kind of want to keep it for myself! ;)Read full review

Reviewed on 19 Aug 2014 by Domini Stone

This vacation was very special and nourished body, mind and spirit. This is what vacations should be like and I would recommend this vacation to anyone looking for something nourishing, peaceful and uplifting. Read full review

Reviewed on 18 Aug 2014 by Catherine Haynes

Reviewed on 10 Jan 2014 by Michael Collett

Wouldn't change a thing! One of the most memorable parts of my vacation was staying in a beautiful odega! Away from the call and drive of modern technology! Secreted in our own romantic stone retreat in the hills of Portugal.Read full review

Reviewed on 09 Jan 2014 by Sinead Mooney

Fantastic...So many highlights - the yoga of course, the food, the treatments and the landscape - and perhaps the relaxed atmosphere fostered by the team.
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Reviewed on 16 Aug 2014 by Catherine Cone

The best part of the retreat was the positive energy surrounding most of the staff! Read full review

Reviewed on 12 Aug 2014 by Yu Wang

Incredible experience. I loved the meditation walk every morning, every single yoga class, delicious food and the of course the mud bath! Read full review

Reviewed on 31 Jul 2014 by Anna Oxley

The whole vacation was extremely good value, very good quality and very well thought out, in terms of the activities, food and yoga. All the scenery was beautiful, and the activities and the vacation organisors all encouraged the group to come together.
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Reviewed on 22 Apr 2014 by Debra Butler

Excellent...it does what it says on the tin! ...and the food and massages were amazing!Read full review

Reviewed on 24 Mar 2014 by Hannah Rees

The most memorable part of the vacation were the wonderful people, delicious food, the stunning natural surroundings, warm welcome and the stories shared...Absolutely brilliant! It was better than I could have imagined...Read full review

Reviewed on 13 Feb 2014 by Nicole W

I loved the laid back peacefulness of this vacation. We spent the mornings doing yoga and enjoying a leisurely breakfast before heading to the beach in the afternoons for surf lessons and sun.
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Reviewed on 28 Apr 2014 by Lorraine Baldwin

Really great - warm welcome, great food and overall great atmosphere and setting!Read full review

Reviewed on 10 Sep 2013 by Rosy Everitt

It was amazing and fabulous and life changing. One of the best vacations I have ever been on, I just wish it could have been longer!!Read full review

Reviewed on 30 May 2013 by Jordan Paul

I cannot recommend a retreat here highly enough! Without a doubt the most relaxing and inspirational vacation we have been on. Anyone looking to get away from it all and reconnect with your self and nature should come here. We will definitely be back!
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Reviewed on 26 Apr 2013 by Jasmijn Visser

This would be a perfect and highly recommendable vacation if you're: interested in nurturing your mind and body by yoga and healthy tasty food...The love and warmth of the Winter family made you directly feel at ease and at home. The yoga classes were of good quality and inspiring. Loved the silent walks in the morning.Read full review

Reviewed on 03 Apr 2013 by Laura Chan

So many memories and amazing times. Probably the most exciting was swimming in fast flowing rivers and waterfalls around the house! ...A brilliant vacation and I'd definitely go back. Read full review

Reviewed on 29 Sep 2013 by Louise Alltimes

The whole week was memorable, i had a great week, it was so relaxing and refreshing. The food was amazing and the yoga was excellent. The setting was stunning, it will all be memorable im so glad i booked it. I cant fault it in any way.
The Winters and they're team also really made it special. Read full review

Reviewed on 24 Sep 2013 by Em Munn

Vonnie & Andrew with Kat and Olly have made a wonderful warm and welcoming place that they share so openly with all their guests! This vacation hit the spot for me. Active, relaxing, invigorating and a wonderful way to feel 'earthed' and reconnected. Just what the doctor ordered! Thank You! xxRead full review

Reviewed on 05 May 2013 by Zoe Barling

It was all fantastic, but the setting is extraordinarily beautiful and will be hard to forget.Read full review

Reviewed on 19 Apr 2013 by Suzanne Hunt

Very good! I was very pleased to be in an environment that supported my inner growth...through the yoga/meditation and personally, by allowing me come to accept my present circumstances, both good and bad.Read full review

Reviewed on 16 Apr 2013 by Julie Grauel

Highly recommended...The retreat does its best to reduce the environmental impact, by using solar energy, having compost loos and sourcing locally and providing delicious vegetarian only meals. The hosts, Andy and Von, really made the vacation memorable. They are incredibly warm and generous.Read full review

Reviewed on 02 Apr 2013 by victoria seymour

Excellent. A great set up - the family open their home up to everyone and give you the chance to be part of their rural existence in splendid isolation. The best parts were the massage and acupuncture therapy. Meeting wonderful, caring people. Incredible food - sometimes it felt there was more eating than asanas!Read full review